Up to 100 demonstrators who ‘wreaked havoc’ in a Tesco store and attacked police officers in an apparent protest against its stocking of Israeli food are being sought by police.
Dozens of protestors gathered outside the supermarket in Hodge Hill, Birmingham, yesterday and could be heard calling on the chain to stop all trade with Israeli agricultural companies.
As the protest escalated, some demonstrators entered the premises and started hurling produce around and 'getting aggressive' - leaving both staff and shoppers traumatised.
It comes after a series of attacks on shops up and down the UK by protestors who are calling for Israeli produce and products to stop being sold in Britain.
Protest: Police officers were attacked and stock was thrown around today as Gaza protestors 'wreaked havoc' in a Tesco store. Above, members of staff are pictured with damaged boxes of Coca Cola following the protest
Aftermath: Around 100 demonstrators gathered outside the shop in Hodge Hill, Birmingham, before some of them entered the premises. Once inside, they started hurling produce around and 'getting aggressive'
It is understood similar protests have taken place outside Tesco stores in Rochdale, Sale, Luton and Blackburn, as well as outside Sainsbury’s in Birmingham and a shop called Kandem in Manchester.
Tesco sells a number of products which are sourced from Israel, including some fruit, peppers, potatoes and herbs, as well as a selection of branded goods.
The supermarket giant said all Israeli sourced products are labelled in accordance with EU guidelines.
The supermarket giant said all Israeli sourced products are labelled in accordance with EU guidelines.
Photos of yesterday’s protest show more than 20 police officers trying to control demonstrators, while Tesco products are seen strewn across the floor.
West Midlands Police said one person was later arrested for assaulting its officers, while a further two had to be escorted from the premises.
Tesco customers took to social media to share their experiences of the protest against the Gaza conflict, which resulted in nearby roads being cordoned off by police.
One told Birminghamupdates.com: 'I was just in the Tesco in Hodge Hill, scanning my items and I heard chanting.
'Then a group of Asian men holding Palestinian flags came walking in and starting to push products over and getting aggressive with staff and shoppers.
'Police officers tried to stop them but I ran out.'
Several police officers (pictured outside the supermarket trying to control the protest) were attacked as the demonstration escalated out of control at the Tesco store in Hodge Hill, Birmingham on Saturday
The protestors, many of whom were waving flags and placards, were repeatedly calling on Tesco to stop all trade with Israeli agricultural companies.
Mark Gardner, director of communications at the Community Security Trust, said dozens of reports of anti-Israel attacks on shops and supermarkets across the country had been reported in recent weeks.
Condemning the actions of the protestors, he said: ‘We have seen protestors claiming that all UK supermarkets are owned by Jews and that they give 25 per cent of their profits to the Israeli Army.
‘Then there is the violent intimidation as now witnessed in Birmingham. We are calling upon police to act swiftly against this and for politicians to stop encouraging such devises and dangerous moves.
‘It gives a chilling insight of the anti-Semitism that moves within these in circles.’
Earlier this month, Labour MP Shabana Mahmood, for Birmingham Ladywood, could be seen on film apparently supporting a protest outside a Sainsbury’s store in the city.
In footage of the protest, she can be seen excitedly telling the camera how the store had been forced to close early, resulting in thousands of pounds worth of loss, due to the protest.
Outraged: This evening, Twitter users condemned the demonstrators' actions, which many deemed 'wrong' and 'idiotic'. Elizabeth Conlon said: 'Peaceful protest? I think not. Disgusting!'
Meanwhile, Waqar Ahmed wrote: 'This isn't helping the Palestinian cause. In fact, it's doing the opposite'
Mehr Ali added: 'How is this going to help Gaza. Idiots'
In a separate protest, there were at least eight arrests for anti-Semitism following a demonstration at Kedem in Manchester, according to the Community Security Trust.
Pro-Palestine demonstrators protested for hours at the city centre beauty store apparently because it sells Dead Sea products from Israel.
Last night, Twitter users condemned the demonstrators' actions, which many deemed 'wrong' and 'idiotic'.
User Abe Sanoe wrote: 'Right to protest is one thing, but vandalism is dead wrong', while Mehr Ali said: 'How is this going to help Gaza. Idiots.'
Pavandeep Padda tweeted: 'HOW does boycotting a Tesco Supermarket... help the situation in Gaza? Like seriously?'
Meanwhile, Elizabeth Conlon said: 'Peaceful protest? I think not. Disgusting!'
Rania Atalla added: 'This makes no sense.'
'The protest was largely peaceful among the 100 protesters but some began throwing stock inside Tesco store. Two escorted from premises.'
The force said an investigation into the incident remained ongoing and said officers were checking over CCTV footage to help with their enquiries. It is understood the force is aware of the apparent reason behind the protests.
A spokesman for Tesco said the demonstration resulted in 'minimal damage' to goods and added that the store was closed for 'just a few minutes' before it was reopened.
The representative said it was aware of the ‘small number’ of protests outside its stores but said it would not be stopping stocking produce linked to Israel.
He added: 'Like all major UK retailers, we sell some products that are sourced from Israel.
We do this in line with the Government position on trade with Israel, and we mark all products clearly with the country of origin, so customers can make informed choices about what to buy.
We do this in line with the Government position on trade with Israel, and we mark all products clearly with the country of origin, so customers can make informed choices about what to buy.
'We have no plans to change our sourcing arrangements, which are in line with other retailers and in accordance with the Government’s position.'
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